Abstract
Aim:This study was conducted to understand whether serum level of the steroid and metabolic hormones may be indicative of their level in ovarian follicular fluid (FF) in porcine, and its influence on fertility.Materials and Methods:Ovaries from pigs (n=32) of two genetic groups, namely, native (Ghungroo; n=16) and crossbred (Hampshire × Ghungroo; n=16) were collected. Both the genetic groups comprised gilts (n=8) and sows (n=8), and sows were in luteal phase of estrus cycle. FF was aspirated from small, medium and large follicles, and centrifuged for the collection of supernatant for further analysis. Blood samples were collected from the same animals, and serum was separated. Hormones, namely, cortisol, T3, T4 and testosterone were estimated by radioimmunoassay. Two-way ANOVA was used for analysis of data considering genetic background (native or crossbred), stage of reproductive life (gilt or sow), and source of sample (serum or FF) as fixed effects.Results:It was observed that all the hormones except cortisol differed significantly (p<0.01) based on genetic background. Stage of reproductive life and source of sample did not affect the studied hormonal level. Within the genetic groups, stage of reproductive life influenced T3 (p<0.01), cortisol (p<0.05) and testosterone (p<0.01) level in crossbred pigs as compared to T3 (p<0.01) only in native pigs. The level of T3 in serum, as well as FF, was higher (p<0.01) in Ghungroo gilts compared to sows. However, a reverse of this was observed in the case of crossbred pigs. The level of cortisol (p<0.05) and testosterone (p<0.01) was higher in crossbred sows than gilts in both serum and FF.Conclusion:The study revealed that serum level of the steroid and metabolic hormones is indicative of their level in the ovarian FF. Further, varying level of steroid and metabolic hormones in pigs based on genetic background may be due to variation in body size, rate of energy metabolism and stage of (re)productive life.
Highlights
Ovarian follicular fluid (FF) is composed partly of secretions from the granulose cells and partly of exudates from plasma [1]
The level of T3 in serum, as well as FF, was higher (p
The study revealed that serum level of the steroid and metabolic hormones is indicative of their level in the ovarian FF
Summary
Ovarian follicular fluid (FF) is composed partly of secretions from the granulose cells and partly of exudates from plasma [1]. It provides a suitable microenvironment for the development, growth and maturation of the oocyte, and is vital for maintenance of fertility in mammals through its autocrine and paracrine regulation of physiological, biochemical and metabolic processes of the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of the oocyte and subsequent ovulation. The steroid and metabolic hormonal composition of FF may influence steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation and quality, ovulation and transport of the oocyte to the oviduct as well as preparation of the follicle for subsequent corpus luteum formation and function [2]
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